Sri Lanka stocks close up 1.5-pct

May 17, 2013 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's stocks closed up 1.49 percent on Friday, with heavy retail trading activity in the banking sector and interest continuing in index heavy John Keells Holdings, brokers said. The benchmark Colombo All Share Index closed 93.70 points higher at 6,380.70 up 1.49 percent and the S&P SL 20 Index closed 57.89 points higher at 3,589.26 up 1.64 percent.

Turnover was 1.4 billion rupees down from 1.8 billion rupees a day earlier.

Foreigners brought 434 million rupees worth shares while selling 99 million rupees worth of shares as 123 stocks advanced and 82 retreated.

John Keells Holdings which contributed most to the index gain ended at 284.90 rupees up 6.90. Ceylon Tobacco Company closed at 869.80 up 24.80 rupees.

Singer Sri Lanka which had a negative impact closed at 100.10 down 4.40 rupees.

There was active trading in banks. Hatton National Bank closed at 171.10 rupees up 0.10 cents. DFCC Bank closed at 151.90 up 3.00 rupees while Commercial Bank of Ceylon closed at 119.00 up 2.40. Sampath Bank closed at 228.10 up 2.30 rupees.

Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka gained 1.70 rupees to close at 185.70 rupees. Aitken Spence closed at 135.10 up 2.10 rupees. Dialog Axiata closed at 9.80 rupees up 0.20 cents with over 16 million shares traded.